Use Showpad at trade shows with Kiosk mode

Updated March 15, 2018 12:25

What's in it for you

Kiosk mode is a feature you can use at trade shows and when presenting content on a device in-store. When activated, we hide confidential data and disable the majority of functionalities in Showpad. This feature gives prospects and customers the opportunity to browse through your products without worrying about confidentiality. Your Showpad administrator decides which confidential data will be hidden in Kiosk mode.

Kiosk mode is very powerful if you combine it with the restriction options of your device. Keeping prospects locked inside the Showpad app with Kiosk mode enabled blocks them from tampering with your device and your content.

To restrict your iOS device to the Showpad app, use the iOS Guided Access feature. Find out how to enable it in this article. To use Kiosk mode in the Showpad app, follow these instructions.

Starting Kiosk Mode

Go to the channel or folder you want to be available in kiosk mode. Note that any content in subfolders will also be available in Kiosk Mode. In this example we’re starting Kiosk Mode on channel level, so all non-confidential content in all folders and subfolders will be available.

Tap the button in the shape of three dots.

Tap Start Kiosk Mode.

Enter a passcode if you didn't create one yet.

Tap OK when prompted.

Stopping Kiosk Mode

Tap the unlock button.

If your iPad comes with a Touch ID sensor, you can use it to exit Kiosk mode. If not, use the passcode you created.

See how it's done on Android

The steps below describe how to start Kiosk Mode with an active passcode lock. If you don’t have an active passcode lock, your device’s screen lock (PIN number, security pattern or password) will be used to start and stop Kiosk Mode. If you have neither an active passcode lock nor a device screen lock, you will be prompted to set up a passcode lock in order to activate Kiosk Mode.

To lock prospects in the Showpad app on your device, you can activate Screen pinning. You can find this in the Settings screen, Security, and activate Screen pinning under Advanced.

Go to the Channel or folder you want to be available in Kiosk Mode. Note that any content in subfolders will also be available in Kiosk Mode. In this example we’re starting Kiosk Mode on Channel level, so all non-confidential content in all folders and subfolders will be available.

Starting Kiosk Mode

Tap the button in the shape of three dots.

Tap Start Kiosk Mode.

Enter a passcode with at least four numbers if you didn't create one yet.

You can select to have the Showpad app pinned. No other applications will open in this mode.

Tap OK when prompted.

Stopping Kiosk Mode

If you want to exit the pinned mode, tap and hold both the back and recent apps icons.

Tap the three dots.

Tap End Kiosk Mode.

Enter the passcode you created.

See how it's done on Windows

Kiosk mode in Showpad is available on Windows 8.1 and 10. When activated, the viewer stays locked inside a selected channel and its folders. You can easily select to activate Kiosk mode inside the Showpad app, but this won't prevent viewers from exiting the app. Especially for trade shows, we highly recommend creating a new guest account on your Windows device. This restricted user prevents your viewers from exiting the Showpad app, and at the same time, it prevents tampering with your device and other apps and content. To create this restricted user, you will need Administrator privileges on your device. Before you have a trade show coming up, make sure to contact your internal IT helpdesk or marketing team if you don't have the necessary administrator rights on your machine. More information is available on Microsoft's Help Center. Grab a coffee; there are quite some steps to follow.

Creating the restricted Kiosk mode user

Go into the settings of your device.

Open Accounts, and create an additional local account, f.e. KioskUser

Log in with the KioskUser account you created. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + L.

Install the Showpad app with the KioskUser account

Switch back to your Administrator account and log in. You can do this easily by pressing the Windows key + L.

In the Accounts window, select Set up assigned access.

Select the KioskUser and choose the Showpad app.

Log out and back in using the KioskUser account by pressing Windows key + L. Now, the KioskUser is locked inside the Showpad app.